The Madras High Court has definitively ruled that major Jallikattu events, particularly those held at internationally recognized venues such as Avaniyapuram, Alanganallur, and Palamedu, are to be considered state-organized affairs. This significant judgment, delivered by a Division Bench of Justices G. Jayachandran and K.K. Ramakrishnan on January 7, 2026, explicitly states that private individuals or village committees do not possess the independent right to organize these traditional bull-taming festivals. The ruling came in response to a writ petition filed by P. Murugan, President of the Avaniyapuram Village Jallikattu Committee, who sought permission and police protection to conduct the Jallikattu event scheduled for January 15, 2026. The court dismissed the plea, emphasizing that under the Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act, 2009, and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Animal Welfare Department on November 21, 2025, these events are directly managed by state revenue officials with the assistance of an advisory committee comprising villagers. This centralized control is deemed necessary due to the international prominence of these events, ensuring safety, animal welfare, and orderly conduct. Credible sources like Live Law, Vijay Foundations, and The Legal Affair corroborate this story, confirming the accuracy of the Bar and Bench article's headline and core claims. The decision reinforces the state's oversight role in preserving the cultural tradition of Jallikattu while adhering to regulatory frameworks designed to mitigate risks and maintain public order.